Inflammation plays a major role in atherosclerosis. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) a multifunctional pattern-recognition protein, is expressed in many tissues/cells, including innate immunity cells, endothelium and atherosclerotic plaques. Its role is controversial: it may exert protective cardiovascular effects and/or it may be an indicator of plaque vulnerability and future cardiovascular risk.

LDL-Apheresis removes apoB100-containing lipoproteins and it can prevent progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). LDL-Apheresis exerts non-lipidic beneficial effects on the procoagulatory state and on hemorheology. No data exist about the effects of LDL-Apheresis on plasma PTX3 levels.

Hypercholesterolemic Patients with documented CAD and poor- or non responders or intolerant to pharmacological treatment (statins) on chronic LDL-apheresis treatment

Procedure: LDL-apheresis

The acronym H.E.L.P. stands for Heparin-induced Extracorporeal Low-density-lipoprotein Precipitation. Antecubital veins served as blood access. The mean blood volume processed per session is of approximately 3000 ml.

Other Name: HELP-apheresis

Detailed Description:

Hypercholesterolemic patients with documented CAD, on chronic fortnightly LDL-apheresis treatment will be enrolled in this study.

Blood samples will be collected before and after a single LDL-Apheresis treatment to asses PTX3, HsCRP, IL6, IL10, Fibrinogen and lipid plasma levels.

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01678521